TELEGRAPHIC.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1526, 8 January 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

C A B L E_N E W 8.

[BEUTBR’S SPECIAL TELEGRAMS TO THE PEESB AGENCY.].

London, January 4.

Sir Michael Hicks Beach, speaking at Gloucester, said the reports regarding the distress throughout the country arc much exaggerated, partly for the purpose of maintaining peace.

Lord Derby, in a speech at Rochdale, also stated the reports were much exaggerated though the distress was undoubtedly sever owing to the depressed state of trade.

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[per press agency.] Wellington, January 8. The Piako, from London to Lyttelton, has repaired at Pernambuco, and proceeded on her voyage. A portion of her cargo was sold by auction through being unfit for re-shipment. At the Supremo Court, in the case of Arthur L. Sweet, charged with forging a cheque, the jury, after along absence disagreed, and at a late hour last night it being found that they still disagreed, refreshments were ordered for them, and they were locked up for the night. On the Court being opened this morning, it wss found they still disagreed, and they were discharged, and the case ordered to be again put on the list.

Charles Schmidt, for robbing Robert Cooper, at the Empire Hotel, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. The Chief Justice characterised the case as a very bad one, there being an entire absence of the usual inducement to robbery, inasmuch as prisoner was of temperate habits and with a considerable sum of money in the Government Savings’ Bank. The Judge ordered that tho money found amongst prisoner’s personal effects, some .£3O, should be given to prosecutor, but said that prisoner’s money in the Savings’ Bank could not be touched. Kata Dawes, for attempt at suicide, was discharged, her husband becoming responsible in his own recognisances for her future appearance.

The Government have not finally decided what course to adopt regarding the convict Walsh, but it is expected the matter will be considered in Cabinet to-day. The “ New Zealander ” says the Government are now acquiring largo and fertile blocks of land on the west coast of this (the North) Island.

The removal of the Resident Magistrate’s Court to the old Provincial buildings is going on to-day. Salt water covered swimming baths are to be erected at the head of Evans’ Bay in connection with a new hotel there. The water will be pumped from the sea by a patent windmill imported for the purpose. The Darrells’ season of Henry V. has closed. The business done is reported to be the largest ever done in this colony. The bundle of notes stolen from the Anchor Line Office did not belong to the company but to Mr Brind, the purser, who had collected the money along the West Coast in payment for produce. The land revenue for the last month shows a great falling off, the total being twenty-four thousand.

Ministers have been in Cabinet all day discussing questions of policy. Masteeton, January 8.

It is understand that the Hon. Jno. Martin intends cutting up a considerable portion for agricultural holdings of the run ho recently purchased from Hon. Mr. Waterhouse. Oamaetj, January 8.

Mr Shrimski, iM.H.E., left for Livingstone to-day to accompany Professor Ulrich, who is to report on the Marewhenua goldfields over ground. Nominations for the North Otago Coursing Club’s Derby Stakes, for puppies, to be run on May 13th, close on Wednesday next. The all-absorbing topic of interest here at present is the construction of waterworks by the Municipal Council. A meeting is to be held en Tuesday night, called by the Mayor, for the purpose of obtaining the ratepayers’ consent to an additional tax, so that water may be brought into the town. The engineer says the work can be completed at a cost of thirty thousand pounds more ; so, the Council have decided to ask perm ission _to borrow another forty thousand. The meeting will be largely attended, with probably a strong opposition to the Council’s proposal, but the Council will have a majority. Geahamstown, January 8.

Scarlet fever of a malignant type has broken out in a family here, four of whom are attacked.

The discovery of rich quartz at Euranni mine has improved. The stone is now worth six ounces to the ton. The reef is supposed to he a continuation of the famous Shotover lode. Sheehan will not arrive here till Monday. A public meeting is called for to-night, to take steps to give him a suitable reception, Wanganui, Januaryß.

The reloading of the schooner Arthur Wakefield was completed last night. The cargo is not damaged, and the vessel will come up the river this morning.

[from our own correspondents.]

Auckland, January 9.

The thirty-sixth report and balance-sheet was presented at a meeting of the shareholders of the New Zealand Insurance Company to-day. After making provision for all ascertained losses to date, and carrying ,£5OllO to the reserve fund, which now stands at .£40,000, the remaining sum of .£19,283 Is lid is available for division, which the directors propose to appropriate to payment of dividends at 15 per cent.; .£15,000 balance; carried forward, .£4283 Is lid.